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Wang T, Gao L, Tan J, Zhuoma D, Yuan R, Li B, Huang S. The Neuroprotective Effect of Sophocarpine against Glutamate-Induced HT22 Cell Cytotoxicity. J Oleo Sci 2024; 73:359-370. [PMID: 38433000 DOI: 10.5650/jos.ess23089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuronal cell death and dysfunction of the central nervous system can be caused by oxidative stress, which is associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Sophocarpine, an alkaloid compound derived from Sophora moorcroftiana (Benth.) Baker seeds, has a wide range of medicinal value. This study sought to determine how sophocarpine exerts neuroprotective effects by inhibited oxidative stress and apoptosis in mouse hippocampus neuronal (HT22) cells. 20mM glutamate-induced HT22 cells were used to develop an in vitro model of oxidative stress damage. The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to assess cell viability. According to the instructions on the kits to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and oxidative stress indicators. HT22 cells were examined using immunofluorescence and Western Blotting to detect Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-related Factor 2 (Nrf2) expression. The expression of proteins and messenger RNA (mRNA) for heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) was examined by Western Blotting and Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and Cell apoptosis were used by 5, 5', 6, 6'-Tetrachloro-1, 1', 3, 3'-tetraethyl-imidacarbocyanine iodide (JC- 1) kit and Terminal Deoxynucleotidyl Transferase-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) apoptosis assay kit, respectively. Finally, the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins was detected by Western Blotting. The result demonstrated that sophocarpine (1.25 μM-10 μM) can significantly inhibit glutamate-induced cytotoxicity and ROS generation, improve the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Sophocarpine increased the expression of HO-1 protein and mRNA and the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 to play a cytoprotective role; however, cells were transfected with small interfering RNA targeting HO-1 (si-HO-1) reversed the above effects of sophocarpine. In addition, sophocarpine significantly inhibited glutamate induced mitochondrial depolarization and further inhibited cell apoptosis by reducing the expression level of caspase-related proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science & Technology
| | - Liying Gao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science & Technology
| | - Jiahua Tan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science & Technology
| | - Dongzhi Zhuoma
- Department of Pharmacy, Medical College, Tibet University
| | - Ruiying Yuan
- Department of Pharmacy, Medical College, Tibet University
| | - Bin Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science & Technology
- Department of Pharmacy, Medical College, Tibet University
| | - Shan Huang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Chemical Engineering, Qingdao University of Science & Technology
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Tian Y, Zhang Z. Insecticidal Activities of Sophora flavescens Alt. towards Red Imported Fire Ants (Solenopsis invicta Buren). Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15. [PMID: 36828419 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15020105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) is a worldwide invasive and dangerous insect that is controlled mainly by chemical insecticides. Plant-derived insecticidal compounds are generally better than synthetic insecticides for environmental compatibility and the biosafety of non-targets. The toxicity of the ethanol extract of Sophora flavescens roots against S. invicta was evaluated under laboratory conditions. The ethanol extract showed toxicity against minor and medium workers of S. invicta with 7-day LC50 values of 1426.25 and 2292.60 mg/L, respectively. By bioactivity-directed chromatographic separations using the minor worker as the test insect, two active compounds, matrine and sophocarpine, were isolated from the S. flavescens total alkaloids; their chemical structure was identified by 13C NMR data. Matrine showed toxicities against minor and medium workers with 7-day LC50 values of 46.77 and 71.49 mg/L, respectively, and for sophocarpine, 50.08 and 85.87 mg/L, respectively. The two compounds could substantially reduce the foraging response, food consumption, and aggregation of S. invicta workers at a sublethal concentration of 15 mg/L. The present research suggests that S. flavescens roots have potential as a natural control agent for red imported fire ants.
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Zhou W, Fu Y, Xu JS. Sophocarpine Alleviates Isoproterenol-Induced Kidney Injury by Suppressing Inflammation, Apoptosis, Oxidative Stress and Fibrosis. Molecules 2022; 27. [PMID: 36431969 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27227868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
One of the most common diseases affecting people and leading to high morbidity is kidney injury. The alleviation of inflammation and apoptosis is considered a potential therapeutic approach for kidney injury. Sophocarpine (SOP), a tetracyclic quinolizidine alkaloid, exhibits various beneficial biological properties. To investigate the effects of SOP on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced kidney injury, we randomly divided mice into four groups: Control, ISO, ISO+SOP (20 mg/kg) and ISO+SOP (40 mg/kg). SOP was administered intraperitoneally to the mice over two weeks, accompanied by intraperitoneal stimulation of ISO (10 mg/kg) for another four weeks. After the mice were sacrificed, several methods such as ELISA, staining (H&E, TUNEL, DHE and Masson) and Western blotting were applied to detect the corresponding indicators. The kidney injury serum biomarkers SCr and BUN increased after the ISO challenge, while this effect was reversed by treatment with SOP. Pathological changes induced by ISO were also reversed by treatment with SOP in the staining. The inflammatory cytokines IL-β, IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1 and NLRP3 increased after the challenge with ISO, while they were decreased by treatment with SOP. The apoptotic proteins cleaved-caspase-3 and Bax increased, while Bcl-2 decreased, after the challenge with ISO, and these effects were reversed by treatment with SOP. The antioxidant proteins SOD-1 and SOD-2 decreased after being stimulated by ISO, while they increased after the treatment with SOP. The fibrotic proteins collagen I, collagen III, α-SMA, fibronectin, MMP-2 and MMP-9 increased after the challenge with ISO, while they decreased after the treatment with SOP. We further discovered that the TLR-4/NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathways were suppressed, while the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway was activated. In summary, SOP could alleviate ISO-induced kidney injury by inhibiting inflammation, apoptosis, oxidative stress and fibrosis. The molecular mechanisms were suppression of the TLR-4/NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathways and activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway, indicating that SOP might serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for kidney injury.
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Abstract
Introduction. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a serious threat to public health worldwide, and there is currently no effective therapeutic strategy for treating COVID-19.Hypothesis/Gap Statement. We propose that sophocarpine (SOP) might have potential therapeutic effects on COVID-19 through inhibiting the cytokine storm and the nuclear factor NF-κB signalling pathway.Aim. The objective was to elucidate the potential mechanism of SOP against COVID-19 through a network pharmacology analysis and its experimental validation.Methodology. The BATMAN-TCM database was used to identify the therapeutic targets of SOP, while the GeneCards and DisGeNET databases were used to identify the targets related to COVID-19. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed from the STRING and analysed using Cytoscape software. Gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and disease ontology (DO) enrichment analyses of the co-targets were performed using Metascape. Autodock 4.2.6 and Pymol software were applied for molecular docking. Levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNFα and IL-1β were measured by ELISA, while mRNA expression levels of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and IFN gamma (IFNG) were detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR. The protein levels of the molecules involved in the NF-κB signalling pathway were validated by western blot analysis.Results. A total of 65 co-targets of SOP and COVID-19 were determined. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses suggested that SOP affected COVID-19 by regulating the IL-17 signalling pathway, TNF signalling pathway and other signalling pathways. The PPI network and molecular docking showed that p65, ICAM-1 and VEGFA were key targets of SOP against COVID-19 and the underlying mechanism was validated in A549 cells in vitro. SOP attenuated the LPS-induced production of TNF-α and IL-6 and downregulated the LPS-induced mRNA expression of ICAM-1, VEGFA and IFNG. Mechanistically, SOP pretreatment inhibited the phosphorylation of p65 and facilitated the activation of Nrf2.Conclusions. SOP has a potential therapeutic effect on COVID-19 through multiple pathways and targets, and inhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and molecules involved in the NF-κB signalling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Xian Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272029, PR China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272029, PR China.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong 272067, PR China
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Yang G, Zeng R, Song X, Liu C, Ni L. Sophocarpine Alleviates Injury-Induced Intima Hyperplasia of Carotid Arteries by Suppressing Inflammation in a Rat Model. J Clin Med 2021; 10:5449. [PMID: 34830730 PMCID: PMC8625628 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10225449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Balloon angioplasty is a commonly applied procedure for treating atherosclerotic vascular diseases. However, the maintenance of long-term lumen patency is relatively difficult due to the occurrence of restenosis. Previous research has shown that the occurrence of vascular wall inflammation is associated with higher rates of restenosis. Sophocarpine (SPC) can exert various therapeutic effects such as anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, anti-tumor, antivirus and immune regulation. This study aimed to investigate whether SPC can alleviate intimal hyperplasia following balloon injury in a rat carotid artery model. METHODS Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: (i) control, (ii) balloon injury, (iii) balloon injury followed by saline injection, and (iv) balloon injury followed by SPC administration. Each group contained five rats. A high-pressure balloon of 3 mm × 20 mm was placed in the carotid artery. The balloon was inflated to a pressure of 8 atmospheres to carry out rat carotid artery balloon injury model. The areas of neointimal and media were determined by Verhoeff_Van Gieson staining, and the intima-to-media (I:M) ratios were subsequently evaluated. After that, the protein levels of IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1, NF-κB, TNF-α, VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and eNOS were measured. RESULTS The ratio of I:M was remarkably higher in the balloon injury group than in the control group (p < 0.01). SPC could significantly decrease the ratio of I:M compared with the balloon injury group (p < 0.01). Besides, the protein levels of IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1, NF-κB, TNF-α, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were increased in rat carotid arteries exposed to balloon injury (p < 0.01), and treatment with SPC could attenuate these effects (p < 0.05). Furthermore, balloon injury inhibited the protein expression of eNOS (p < 0.01), and SPC could elevate its level (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS SPC could alleviate an intimal hyperplasia in balloon-injured carotid artery, and the mechanisms underlying this protective effect might be due to its inhibitory potency against inflammation signals. Our study also implies the potential applicability of SPC in treating restenosis after balloon angioplasty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genhuan Yang
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China;
| | - Rong Zeng
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China; (R.Z.); (X.S.); (C.L.)
| | - Xitao Song
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China; (R.Z.); (X.S.); (C.L.)
| | - Changwei Liu
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China; (R.Z.); (X.S.); (C.L.)
| | - Leng Ni
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China; (R.Z.); (X.S.); (C.L.)
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Zhu X, Gu Z, Yu Y, Yang W, Li M, Li Y, Zhang P, Wang J, Zhao J. Neuronal Apoptosis Preventive Potential of Sophocarpine via Suppression of Aβ-Accumulation and Down-Regulation of Inflammatory Response. DOKL BIOCHEM BIOPHYS 2021; 497:116-122. [PMID: 33895927 DOI: 10.1134/s1607672921020186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In the current study sophocarpine was investigated in vitro for prevention of β-amyloid induced PC12 neuronal cell damage. Exposure to β-amyloid caused a dose-dependent suppression in growth of PC12 cells with maximum reduction at 10 μM. Sophocarpine pre-treatment reversed suppressive effect of β-amyloid (10 μM) on PC12 cell growth in concentration-based manner. In sophocarpine pre-treated PC12 cells the β-amyloid mediated PGE2 level elevation was attenuated significantly at 0.25-2 μM doses. Moreover, in sophocarpine pretreated PC12 cells the β-amyloid mediated promotion of COX-2 level was also inhibited. Sophocarpine pre-treatment attenuated iNOS expression in β-amyloid exposed PC12 cells at 0.25-2 μM doses. Pre-treatment of PC12 cells with sophocarpine suppressed NO-species generation induced by β-amyloid exposure. In sophocarpine pretreated PC12 cells elevation of nuclear NF-κB expression induced by β-amyloid was significantly inhibited. In summary, sophocarpine prevents reduction of PC12 cell growth induced by β-amyloid exposure via inhibition of inflammatory processes. The preventive effect of sophocarpine on β-amyloid induced PC12 cell damage is associated with inhibition of NF-κB nuclear translocation. Therefore, sophocarpine may be used for treatment of neurological disorders like Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Zhu
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, 130117, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Zhaowei Gu
- Neurology, Third Affiliated Clinical Hospital of Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 130117, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Neurology, Songyuan Central Hospital, 138000, Songyuan, Jilin, China
| | - Wei Yang
- GCP Office, Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 130021, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Mingquan Li
- Neurology, Third Affiliated Clinical Hospital of Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 130117, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yujuan Li
- Ultrasound Electrophysiological Diagnostic Center, Third Affiliated Clinical Hospital of Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 130117, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Pengqi Zhang
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, 130117, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jiale Wang
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, 130117, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Jianjun Zhao
- Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 130021, Changchun, Jilin, China.
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Su X, Miao W, Li L, Zheng H, Hao G, Du L. Inhibition of Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus Development by Sophocarpine through Targeting PPARy-Regulated Gene Expression. DOKL BIOCHEM BIOPHYS 2021; 497:137-143. [PMID: 33895930 DOI: 10.1134/s1607672921020150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM), a metabolic disorder, is the causes of oxidative stress leading to complications in micro- and macro-vascular system. The present study investigated sophocarpine for anti-diabetic potential in vivo in mice model. Sophocarpine administration to diabetic mice significantly (p < 0.05) attenuated glucose content in the plasma. The diabetes mediated lowering of GSH, ceruloplasmin and vitamin E was prevented in mice plasma by sophocarpine administration. Sophocarpine significantly (p < 0.05) reversed diabetes mediated suppression of insulin level and total Hb content in the mice plasma. In sophocarpine administrated diabetic mice C-peptide level was elevated and glycosylated hemoglobin content was suppressed significantly (p < 0.05) relative to diabetic group. Administration of sophocarpine significantly (p < 0.05) repressed diabetes mediated increase in TG and TC levels in dose-based manner. Administration of sophocarpine exhibited preventive role against diabetes mediated pathological damage to pancreas in the mice. Sophocarpine administration to diabetic mice repressed PPARγ recruitment significantly (p < 0.05) in dose-dependent manner. Sophocarpine prevents oxidative stress mediated pancreatic damage through increase in vitamin E, GSH and C-peptide levels, Moreover, the PPARγ activity was down-regulated, LDL-c content lowered and HDL-c level elevated in diabetic mice by sophocarpine. Therefore, sophocarpine may be developed for treatment of diabetes, however, further in vivo studies need to confirm the same.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqian Su
- Health Management Center, Ningxia Medical University General Hospital, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Wei Miao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Aerospace Center Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Li Li
- Pharmacy College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Haisheng Zheng
- Department of Traditional Chinese, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
| | - Gaimei Hao
- Institute of Basic Theory for Chinese medicine, Chinese Academy of Chinese Medicine Science, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Du
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Affiliated Dongfeng Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China.
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Hou N, Dai X, Lu W, Yang H, Yu H, Liu J, Li H, Shuai X, Ai D. Sophocarpine attenuates septic liver injury through suppression of the NLRP3 inflammasome via autophagy-mediated degradation. Exp Ther Med 2020; 20:249. [PMID: 33178347 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.9379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Septic liver injury remains a challenge in sepsis treatment. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine rich repeat and pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation has been suggested to be a major cause of hepatocyte cell death in liver diseases. However, insufficient research has been performed to explore the underlying mechanisms associated with this. In the present study, sophocarpine, a pharmaceutical monomer originally isolated from Sophora flavescens, was suggested to attenuate septic liver injury in a mouse cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model. By utilizing western blotting, ELISA, H&E staining and immunohistochemistry, the results demonstrated that sophocarpine treatment reversed CLP-induced elevations in serum aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β levels. Additionally, sophocarpine appeared to have suppressed the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, as indicated by observed reductions in liver IL-1β, NLRP3, caspase 1-p20 and gasdermin D-p30 protein levels. Further investigation suggested that sophocarpine-induced autophagy was essential for this suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, the inhibition of which reversed the protective effects of sophocarpine on CLP-induced liver injury. Collectively, results from the present study suggested a protective role for sophocarpine against septic liver injury, where sophocarpine may suppress NLRP3 inflammasome activation by autophagy-mediated degradation.
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Wang R, Deng X, Gao Q, Wu X, Han L, Gao X, Zhao S, Chen W, Zhou R, Li Z, Bai C. Sophora alopecuroides L.: An ethnopharmacological, phytochemical, and pharmacological review. J Ethnopharmacol 2020; 248:112172. [PMID: 31442619 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Revised: 08/18/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Sophora alopecuroides L., which is called Kudouzi in China, is a medicinal plant distributed in Western and Central Asia, especially in China, and has been used for decades to treat fever, bacterial infection, heart disease, rheumatism, and gastrointestinal diseases. AIM OF THE REVIEW This review aims to provide up-to-date information on S. alopecuroides, including its botanical characterization, medicinal resources, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological research, and toxicology, in exploring future therapeutic and scientific potentials. MATERIALS AND METHODS The information related to this article was systematically collected from the scientific literature databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science Direct, Springer, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, published books, PhD and MS dissertations, and other web sources, such as the official website of Flora of China and Yao Zhi website (https://db.yaozh.com/). RESULTS A total of 128 compounds, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, and polysaccharides, were isolated from S. alopecuroides. Among these compounds, the effects of alkaloids, such as matrine and oxymatrine, were extensively studied and developed into new drugs. S. alopecuroides and its active components had a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as anticancer, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic, and neuroprotective functions, as well as protective properties against pulmonary fibrosis and cardiac fibroblast proliferation. CONCLUSIONS As an important traditional Chinese medicine, modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that S. alopecuroides has prominent bioactivities, especially on gynecological inflammation and hepatitis B, and anticancer activities. These activities provide prospects for novel drug development for cancer and some chronic diseases. Nevertheless, the comprehensive evaluation, quality control, understanding of the multitarget network pharmacology, long-term in vivo toxicity, and clinical efficacy of S. alopecuroides require further detailed research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruizhou Wang
- Key Laboratory of Hui Medicine Modernization, Ningxia Medical University Pharmacy College, Yinchuan 750004, PR China
| | - Xinxin Deng
- Key Laboratory of Hui Medicine Modernization, Ningxia Medical University Pharmacy College, Yinchuan 750004, PR China
| | - Qixia Gao
- College of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, PR China
| | - Xiuli Wu
- Key Laboratory of Hui Medicine Modernization, Ningxia Medical University Pharmacy College, Yinchuan 750004, PR China
| | - Lu Han
- Key Laboratory of Hui Medicine Modernization, Ningxia Medical University Pharmacy College, Yinchuan 750004, PR China
| | - Xiaojuan Gao
- Key Laboratory of Hui Medicine Modernization, Ningxia Medical University Pharmacy College, Yinchuan 750004, PR China
| | - Shipeng Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Hui Medicine Modernization, Ningxia Medical University Pharmacy College, Yinchuan 750004, PR China
| | - Weibin Chen
- Ningxia Doushun Biological Technology Co., Ltd., Yanchi, 751500, PR China
| | - Rongrong Zhou
- School of Basic Medicine, Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jinzhong, 030600, PR China
| | - Zhiyong Li
- College of Pharmacy, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081, PR China.
| | - Changcai Bai
- Key Laboratory of Hui Medicine Modernization, Ningxia Medical University Pharmacy College, Yinchuan 750004, PR China.
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Zou F, Wang L, Liu H, Wang W, Hu L, Xiong X, Wu L, Shen Y, Yang R. Sophocarpine Suppresses NF-κB-Mediated Inflammation Both In Vitro and In Vivo and Inhibits Diabetic Cardiomyopathy. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:1219. [PMID: 31736745 PMCID: PMC6836764 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a leading cause of mortality in patients with
diabetes. DCM is a leading cause of mortality in patients with diabetes. We used both in vitro and in vivo experiments to investigate the hypothesis that sophocarpine (SPC), a natural quinolizidine alkaloid derived from a Chinese herb, could protect against DCM. We used hyperglycemic myocardial cells and a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes mellitus mouse model. SPC protected myocardial cells from hyperglycemia-induced injury by improving mitochondrial function, suppressing inflammation, and inhibiting cardiac apoptosis. The SPC treatment significantly inhibited the activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling in high-glucose-stimulated inflammatory responses. Moreover, SPC significantly slowed the development and progression of DCM in STZ-induced diabetic mice. These results show that SPC suppresses NF-κB-mediated inflammation both in vitro and in vivo and may be used to treat DCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Zou
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nangchang, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nangchang, China
| | - Han Liu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nangchang, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nangchang, China
| | - Longlong Hu
- Department of Cardiovascular Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nangchang, China
| | - Xiaoying Xiong
- Department of Cardiovascular Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nangchang, China
| | - Lijuan Wu
- Department of Cardiovascular Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nangchang, China
| | - Yunfeng Shen
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nangchang, China
| | - Renqiang Yang
- Department of Cardiovascular Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nangchang, China
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Wang Q, Wang T, Zhu L, He N, Duan C, Deng W, Zhang H, Zhang X. Sophocarpine Inhibits Tumorgenesis of Colorectal Cancer via Downregulation of MEK/ERK/VEGF Pathway. Biol Pharm Bull 2019; 42:1830-1838. [PMID: 31434836 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b19-00353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant tumors and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. It was reported that sophocarpine could attenuate the progression of CRC in mice. However, the mechanisms by which sophocarpine regulate the proliferation and migration in CRC remain unclear. Thus, this study aimed to investigate anti-tumor mechanisms of sophocarpine in CRC cells. CCK-8 assay, wound healing assay and transwell migration were used to detect cell proliferation and migration, respectively. In addition, Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to further detect protein expressions and cytokines in vitro. The results revealed that sophocarpine significantly inhibited proliferation in HCT116 and SW620 cells, respectively. Meanwhile, sophocarpine inhibited CRC cells migration via downregulation of the levels of N-cadherin, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), p-mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A, VEGF-C and VEGF-D. Moreover, overexpression of MEK reversed the anti-migration effects of sophocarpine on CRC cells via upregulation of VEGF-A/C/D. Our findings indicated that sophocarpine could inhibit CRC cells migration via downregulation of MEK/ERK/VEGF pathway. Thus, sophocarpine may act as a potential agent for the treatment of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoling Wang
- Department of Oncology, Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital Affiliated Xinjiang Medical University
| | - Ting Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Lei Zhu
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, Changji Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Xinjiang
| | - Nana He
- Department of Oncology, Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital Affiliated Xinjiang Medical University
| | - Chunyan Duan
- Department of Oncology, Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital Affiliated Xinjiang Medical University
| | - Wanli Deng
- Department of Oncology, Traditional Chinese Medical Hospital Affiliated Xinjiang Medical University.,Department of Medical Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
| | - Hongping Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Affiliated Hospital of Guangxin University of Chinese Medicine
| | - Xiaotian Zhang
- Preventive Treatment of Disease Center, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Abstract
1. Sophocarpine is a biologically active component isolated from the foxtail-like sophora herb and seed that is often orally administered for the treatment of cancer and chronic bronchial asthma. However, whether sophocarpine affects the activity of human liver cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes remains unclear. 2. In this study, the inhibitory effects of sophocarpine on the eight human liver CYP isoforms (CYP1A2, 3A4, 2A6, 2E1, 2D6, 2C9, 2C19, and 2C8) were investigated in vitro using human liver microsomes (HLMs). 3. The results indicate that sophocarpine could inhibit the activity of CYP3A4 and 2C9, with the IC50 values of 12.22 and 15.96 μM, respectively, but that other CYP isoforms were not affected. Enzyme kinetic studies showed that sophocarpine is not only a noncompetitive inhibitor of CYP3A4 but also a competitive inhibitor of CYP2C9, with Ki values of 6.74 and 9.19 μM, respectively. Also, sophocarpine is a time-dependent inhibitor of CYP3A4 with Kinact/KI value of 0.082/21.54 μM-1 min-1. 4. The in vitro studies of sophocarpine with CYP isoforms suggested that sophocarpine has the potential to cause pharmacokinetic drug interactions with other co-administered drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 and 2C9. Further clinical studies are needed to evaluate the significance of this interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwei Zhang
- a Department of General Surgery , Shanxian Central Hospital , Heze , Shandong , China
| | - Chuansheng Li
- a Department of General Surgery , Shanxian Central Hospital , Heze , Shandong , China
| | - Jingfa Zhang
- b Department of Pharmacy , Shanxian Central Hospital , Heze , Shandong , China
| | - Fan Zhang
- a Department of General Surgery , Shanxian Central Hospital , Heze , Shandong , China
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Jin Z, Yang L, Ding G, Yang G, Han Y, Zhang X, Li W. Sophocarpine against enterovirus 71 in vitro. Exp Ther Med 2017; 14:3792-3797. [PMID: 29042981 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2017.4958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Sophocarpine (SCA) is a bioactive alkaloid present in Sophoraflavescens Ait. The present study demonstrated that SCA inhibited enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection in Vero cells. The results indicated that the 50% cytotoxicity concentration of SCA for Vero cells was 1,346 µg/ml, and the 50% inhibition concentration of SCA against EV71 was 350 µg/ml. SCA produced a marked inhibitory effect against EV71 when the Vero cells were treated with SCA prior to infection with the virus. Additionally, SCA was effective against EV71 when the Vero cells were infected with EV71 (100xTCID50) that had been treated with SCA for 2 h, and was effective when the Vero cells were infected with EV71 (100xTCID50) at 37°C under 5% CO2 for 2 h prior to treatment with SCA for 2 h. SCA was demonstrated to inhibit the attachment and penetration of EV71 and was more effective at inhibiting attachment. The assay additionally verified that SCA suppressed the replication of viral genomic RNA and indicated that SCA may inhibit EV71 infection in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zengjun Jin
- State Key Laboratory of Microbial Resources, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P.R. China.,University of The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P.R. China.,Handan Municipal Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Handan, Hebei 056008, P.R. China
| | - Lixin Yang
- Hebei Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050021, P.R. China
| | - Guotao Ding
- Handan Municipal Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Handan, Hebei 056008, P.R. China.,College of Life Sciences, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, Hebei 071001, P.R. China
| | - Guoxing Yang
- Handan Municipal Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Handan, Hebei 056008, P.R. China
| | - Yonghong Han
- Handan Municipal Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Handan, Hebei 056008, P.R. China
| | - Xia Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, P.R. China
| | - Weihao Li
- Handan Municipal Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Handan, Hebei 056008, P.R. China
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Liu W, Zhang B, Chen G, Wu W, Zhou L, Shi Y, Zeng Q, Li Y, Sun Y, Deng X, Wang F. Targeting miR-21 with Sophocarpine Inhibits Tumor Progression and Reverses Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Head and Neck Cancer. Mol Ther 2017; 25:2129-2139. [PMID: 28571917 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2017.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2017] [Revised: 05/09/2017] [Accepted: 05/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A major challenge for cancer chemotherapy is the development of safe and clinically effective chemotherapeutic agents. With its low toxicity profile, sophocarpine (SC), a naturally occurring tetracyclic quinolizidine alkaloid derived from Sophora alopecuroides L, has shown promising therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, and antivirus activities. However, the antitumor efficacy of SC and its underlying mechanisms have not been completely delineated. In the present study, the inhibitory effect of SC on head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) progression and possible mechanisms for this effect involving microRNA-21 (miR-21) regulation were investigated. By cell viability, Transwell, and wound healing assays, we show that SC effectively inhibited proliferation, invasion, and migration of HNSCC cells. Moreover, SC exerted its growth-inhibitory effect via the downregulation of miR-21 expression by blocking Dicer-mediated miR-21 maturation. Furthermore, SC treatment led to the increased expression of PTEN and p38MAPK phosphorylation as well as the reversal of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which was rescued by ectopic expression of miR-21 in cells. Notably, SC dramatically repressed tumor growth without observable tissue cytotoxicity in a mouse xenograft model of HNSCC. Our findings offer a preclinical proof of concept for SC as a leading natural agent for HNSCC cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710071, China; Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Beilei Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710038, China
| | - Guo Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Wenjiao Wu
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710071, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710071, China
| | - Yaru Shi
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710071, China
| | - Qi Zeng
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710071, China
| | - Yanqiu Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Youwei Sun
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Xingming Deng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine and Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Fu Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Molecular and Neuro Imaging, Ministry of Education, School of Life Science and Technology, Xidian University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710071, China.
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Song CY, Zeng X, Wang Y, Shi J, Qian H, Zhang Y, Fang JQ, Sheng X, Zheng JM, Chen YX. Sophocarpine attenuates toll-like receptor 4 in steatotic hepatocytes to suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines synthesis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2015; 30:405-12. [PMID: 25089018 DOI: 10.1111/jgh.12691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/11/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Sophocarpine, a tetracyclic quinolizidine alkaloid derived from Sophora alopecuroides L., has been documented that it can suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines synthesis in alleviating nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in vivo. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is a pattern recognition receptor whose activation results in the production of several pro-inflammatory cytokines. It has been reported that TLR4 is upregulated in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of NASH. This study aimed to examine the changes of TLR4 and its signaling pathways in sophocarpine's anti-inflammatory process on experimental NASH in vitro. METHODS Primary hepatocytes were isolated, and oleic acid-induced steatosis model was established. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was used to detect the number of metabolically active mitochondria and viable cells. Immunocytochemistry analysis was applied to evaluating pro-inflammatory cytokines synthesis. Total RNA and protein were extracted for real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot detection. RESULTS Enhanced expression of TLR4 was observed in oleic acid-induced steatotic hepatocytes. Sophocarpine suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines synthesis and reduced the expression of TLR4 in steatotic hepatocytes. Expression of TLR4 and pro-inflammatory cytokines recovered after sophocarpine was removed. Moreover, sophocarpine restrained the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB), c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), and Extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) signaling pathways in the anti-inflammatory process. CONCLUSION Sophocarpine could decrease the expression of TLR4 in steatotic hepatocytes and suppress pro-inflammatory cytokines synthesis. NF-κB, JNK, and ERK signaling pathways were important workable downstream pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Yan Song
- Department of Pathology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
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Sun S, Zhang H, Sun F, Zhao L, Zhong Y, Chai Y, Zhang G. Intestinal transport of sophocarpine across the Caco-2 cell monolayer model and quantification by LC/MS. Biomed Chromatogr 2015; 28:885-90. [PMID: 24861759 DOI: 10.1002/bmc.3195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Sophocarpine is a biologically active component obtained from the foxtail-like sophora herb and seed that is often orally administered for the treatment of cancer and chronic bronchial asthma. The aim of this study was to develop a rapid and specific LC/MS method for the determination of sophocarpine and to explore its transcellular transport mechanism across the Caco-2 (the human colon adenocarcia cell lines) monolayer cell transwell model. Caco-2 cells were seeded on permeable polycarbonate membranes and incubated for 21 days. Before the experiment, the trans-epithelial electric resistance, integrity and alkaline phosphatase activity of the Caco-2 monolayers were verified and used in subsequent experiments. In the Caco-2 model constructed, many influencing factors were investigated, including time, concentration, pH and different protein inhibitors. The results suggested that sophocarpine was transported mainly by passive diffusion. The flux of sophocarpine was time- and concentration-dependent, and the pH also had an effect on its transportation. The PappBA was higher than PappAB , indicating that a polarized transport might exist for sophocarpine. MK-571 and reserpine, inhibitors of the multidrug resistance associated protein 2 and the breast cancer resistance protein, decreased the efflux of sophocarpine, while verapamil had no effect on its transport. These results revealed that sophocarpine is absorbed mainly by passive diffusion, and that a carrier-mediated mechanism is also involved in the transport of sophocarpine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Sun
- Department of Pharmacy, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China
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